Patent GB-777734-A (GB)
Title: Process and apparatus for making fabrics composed of adhesively-united threads, cords or the like
Inventor: GATLING ANTHONY DAVID
IPC: D04H3/12
Filed: 1954-09-30
Abstract: 777,734. Fabrics composed of adhesively united threads, cords, &c. DUNLOP RUBBER CO., Ltd. Sept. 9, 1955 [Sept. 30, 1954], No. 28162/54. Class 140. A method of making non-woven fabric comprises intermittently advancing a web of warp-forming threads, intermittently positioning transversely to the said warp-forming threads a web of weft-forming threads substantially equal in length to the width of the web of warp forming threads so that portions of the two webs are in superposed relationship, at least one of the said webs being adapted for adhesion to the other, and during periods of rest causing the said superposed portions of weft forming threads to adhere and severing from the web of weft forming threads that length of the web which lies across the web of warp forming threads. As shown, a web of warp forming threads 1 (Fig. 1) is advanced by means of a roller system, part of which is indicated at 2, to which intermittent motion is imparted. At right angles to the web of warp forming threads 1 there is provided a chain converyer system 3 (Fig. 2) for advancing a web of weft forming threads 4. Two parallel chains 7 connect the chain wheels 6. A number of wooden buttons 8, equally spaced apart, are fixed between the chains. A second chain conveyer system 9 is spaced underneath the system already described so that the web of warp forming threads 1 lies inside the chain loops of the second system. The wooden battens 8 of the two systems lie on one another. Before reaching the chain conveyer system, the weftforming threads 4 are coated with adhesive by passing through a bath (not shown). Movement of the weft forming threads 4 is effected by the threads being caught in the nip between superposed battens 8. The chain conveyer system moves with intermittent motion synchronized with that of the roller system 2 (Fig. 1). At the end of a period of motion a length of weft forming threads is held suspended over the web of warp forming threads. Two guillotine blades 10 are arranged one on each side of the warp forming threads 1 and inwardly of the battens so that, when actuated, a length of weft forming threads 4, substantially equal to the width of the web of warp forming threads, is severed from the web of weft forming threads leaving the free ends of that web held in the nip between the two battens 8 in the feed side. After a length of weft forming threads have been pressed on to the web of warp forming threads and severed from its own web the cycle of intermittent motion restarts, the web of warp forming threads moves on, carrying the adhering weft forming threads and a further length of the web of weft forming threads is advanced so as to be positioned across the succeeding portion of the web of warp forming threads, and the operation is repeated. As an alternative to coating the weft forming threads with adhesive, weft threads may be employed which are formed from filaments of thermoplastic material, e.g. balata or polyvinyl chloride, and these threads are ironed into the warp forming threads during the period of rest of the intermittent motion.